Happy Tuesday hockey fans! With the last month of the regular season quickly approaching, this hotly contested matchup between the Edmonton Oilers versus the Dallas Stars sees two teams right in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, both need wins to stay at pace at hopefully clinching postseason berths. It’s time to continue our NHL odds series with an Oilers-Stars prediction and pick.
The Oilers enter Tuesday evening's matchup sitting with 75 points with an overall record of 35-23-5, good for the third-place spot in the Pacific division. Edmonton is coming off a hard-fought loss against the NHL leader in points in the Colorado Avalanche, losing in OT 3-2 in Denver. Nevertheless, the Oilers were still able to pick up a point in the overtime loss and continue to stay in reaching distance of the LA Kings and even the scorching Calgary Flames with 19 games remaining in their regular season.
As for the Stars, Dallas needs to make some late-season noise in order to guarantee themselves an opportunity to be playing for Lord Stanley's Cup starting in the month of May. The Lone Star State's singular hockey franchise currently sits at 34-24-3, just barely looking on the outside of the playoff picture as the ninth-best team within the Western Conference. However, the Stars have been skating to the beat of a 6-4 record in their prior ten contests and will look to continue their solid play down the stretch of the 2021-2022 regular season.
Here are the Oilers-Stars NHL Odds, Courtesy of FanDuel
NHL Odds: Oilers-Stars Odds
Edmonton Oilers: +1.5 (-260)
Dallas Stars: -1.5 (+205)
Over: 6.5 (-106)
Under: 6.5 (-114)
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Why the Oilers Could Cover the Spread
After riding a five-game winning streak that was finally snapped in Denver last night, the Oilers will bring their 3.35 goals per game average to Dallas for the second matchup of a back-to-back. Edmonton will need a quick turnaround on Tuesday evening, as their last and only matchup versus the Stars this season ended up turning sour in a 4-1 defeat back on Nov. 23rd. While the Oilers are currently seventh in goals scored per game, they are also fortunate t0 have one of the best players on the face of the Earth in C Connor McDavid. The speedy Oilers captain has put on a show for Canada's Festival City, and there isn't one player in the NHL who has more points, as McDavid's 91 total are a league-high.
As a team, Edmonton can be tough to beat when they are hitting on all cylinders. The Oilers rely on offense and an unforgiving tempo that leaves opposing teams gasping for air by the third period. Even playing their second game in as many nights, the Oilers will cover the spread due to the fact that the Stars will have trouble containing Edmonton's high-powered attack. Also, the Oilers are playing with much more confidence and overall more efficient than they were since the last time these two teams went to battle back in November.
Why the Stars Could Cover the Spread
Dallas has faced their ups and downs throughout the regular season, as it's been the injury bug at the goaltending position that has affected them the most. With Braden Holtby and Anton Khudobin both being sidelined for the foreseeable future, Dallas decided to make a move for another goalie prior to the trade deadline. Introducing Scott Wedgewood, who comes to the great state of Texas from Arizona after posting a 10-14-3 record for the Coyotes. Even with limited NHL service as a goaltender and playing for one of the worst teams in hockey, Wedgewood does include an impressive .909 save percentage, which is good for the 24th best mark in the NHL. The Stars' willingness to make moves at the deadline will prove to be something that was necessary, especially if Dallas can make a run at the postseason a month from now.
One player that could serve as an X-factor in covering the spread for Dallas in this one could be the play of the ageless wonder himself in 37-year-old Joe Pavelski, who is averaging a stellar point per game in the final year of his contract for the Stars.
Final Oilers-Stars Prediction & Pick
This matchup should provide plenty of fireworks, as there is no questioning how great of hockey each club has been playing of late to this point. Edmonton is coming off an overtime loss late last night and had to fly into Dallas immediately from Denver, but don't be shocked if the Oilers catch the Stars off guard and are surprisingly fresh for this Western Conference showdown. Not to mention, the Oilers' 16-11-5 road record is nothing to scoff at, as they should at least cover the +1.5 goal spread and get back on track after suffering their first loss in their previous five games. Side with the Oilers in this one, you won't be disappointed!
Final Oilers-Stars Pick: Oilers +1.5 (-260)
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